Having wrapped up the Premier League title, Antonio Conte’s thoughts will drift towards next season after the FA Cup final at the weekend. Champions League football and the associated increase in fixtures mean that the champions will need to add strength in depth. The system change during the season will mean that different needs in the side have to be addressed; John Terry’s departure, coupled with any other potential sales and the need for extra rotation next season mean that several personnel changes will be needed.
Wing-backs
As successful as Victor Moses has become in his new role, he is not a long-term option in the starting XI. Even if he is to step his game up again and maintain his starting role, more depth will be needed in this area. Nathan Ake and Cesar Azpilicueta can be adjusted to wing-back roles, but are much better performers in the back three.
At the heart of Monaco’s Champions League run have been two stellar wing-backs: Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibé. These two should be Chelsea’s main targets. Sidibé is capable of playing on both sides of the pitch. This versatility is crucial in a season with ever-growing fixture congestion. His strong attacking output and resilient defending make him a top talent. Much in the same way, Mendy is an attacking monster. He is less strong when defending one-on-one, but would be a great fit to replace Marcos Alonso if he were ever out of action.
If Chelsea decided to promote from within, on a longer timescale Jay Dasilva is the perfect attacking wing-back on the left. Comfortable from full-back to left wing, he has been terrific on loan at Charlton. Despite his performances in League One, however, he still has a lot of his game to develop.
A more reasonable fit would be Baba Rahman. His attacking play was terrific at Augsburg, and the little seen of him at Chelsea was positive going forward. His season this year was marred by injury, but he could be an option if Chelsea decide to spend their money elsewhere in the squad.
Replacing Diego Costa
Chelsea would be foolish to not look into a replacement for Diego Costa whilst uncertainty over his future remains. Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata have had their names plastered across the tabloids for months as potential replacements. With his homegrown qualification and undeniable goal scoring prowess, Lukaku is a great fit. Although his price might be a sticking point, the obvious financial windfall of a Costa sale would more than offset this.
Another name which comes to mind when thinking of filling the striker void is Alexis Sánchez. He often plays as a winger, but with the free-flowing football played at Chelsea when Costa has been out, he might be a great option at striker. The triumvirate of Hazard, Pedro, and Willian shredded teams when given the opportunity; adding the Chilean into the mix would add to the damage.
Again, if Chelsea decide to promote from within they have a multitude of options. Tammy Abraham is good enough to play at the Premier League level. He has already excelled on loan this season, but the best course of action is probably another loan. Given his performances of late, Michy Batshuayi might be a great replacement. His hold-up play has improved immensely since the beginning of the season, combined with his ability to finish with both feet. Batshuayi is a terrific young striker, and just might be given the chance to prove it.
Strengthening in Midfield
Conte’s success this season has been heavily backed by his consistency when picking his midfield pairing. N’Golo Kanté and one of Nemanja Matić and Cesc Fàbregas has been par for the course all season. Given the increase in matches for next year, the manager will have to adjust his selection more often. Nathaniel Chalobah offers an interesting option when closing out games—in a similar role to that which John Obi Mikel used to occupy—but someone of a consistently higher calibre will need to be brought in.
Radja Nainggolan and Arturo Vidal are names that have been suggested in the past. But given Nainggolan’s loyalty to Roma and Vidal’s knee history and age, neither should be Chelsea’s primary target. That distinction falls to Tiemoue Bakayoko.
A powerful midfielder, Bakayoko bears similarities to Nemanja Matić and Yaya Touré in his playing style. Monaco recently signed Youri Tielemans, and with an extra body in midfield, it might be easier for Chelsea to prize away one of their young crown jewels. A good ball player, strong defensively, and an all round powerhouse, Bakayoko offers a good fit behind Matić and Kanté. If he can develop his passing range, he will become one of Europe’s premier midfielders.
The creative side of things could be handled by someone already at the club. Fàbregas has unlocked defences all season, but given the club’s policy of only giving one-year contract renewals to players aged 30 and above, Conte will be looking for a similar player. That player could be Lewis Baker, who has had some success with Vitesse this season. He has a terrific passing range, as well as an ability to score goals and a genuine love for Chelsea and could easily play a role in the first-team squad instead of going out on loan again.
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